Westport, CT and Atlanta, GA — The 2021 AHR Expo in Chicago has been cancelled and focus has shifted to the 2022 event to take place in Las Vegas, January 31 to February 2.
After exhausting all possibilities to tentatively reschedule the Show for March 2021, we regret to announce today the forced cancellation of the 2021 AHR Expo in Chicago,” stated the show management company, International Exposition Company. “With roadblocks set in place by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and resulting current state and local restrictions that prohibit mass gatherings over 50 people, an in-person event will not take place in 2021. Instead, we’ll shift our focus to 2022 and prepare for an in-person event in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“We know how much the HVACR community looks to AHR Expo to kick off the year’s business momentum, launch never-before-seen new products and services, and to secure valuable networking contacts for the year ahead. We believe in the value of an in-person event experience as an important means to discover, explore, develop and advance the HVACR industry together as a community.”
Meanwhile, ASHRAE, one of the events co-sponsors announced that the 2021 ASHRAE Winter Virtual Conference, which will include a mixture of live, pre-recorded and on-demand sessions, will take place February 9-11, 2021.
“The Board of Directors has carefully considered what course of action would be best for ASHRAE members, the committees that conduct the Society’s business, the industry we serve and the AHR Expo,” said 2020-21 ASHRAE President Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E. “The pandemic has affected everyone, requiring that we adapt to existing conditions in our personal and professional endeavors and our decision to cancel the 2021 AHR Expo is a reflection of necessary adjustments.”
ASHRAE committee, council and board meetings will take place virtually in January. More information and details will be available in the coming weeks.
“Current health rules regarding social distancing and large gatherings makes it impossible for us to provide the experience that our attendees expect at the AHR Expo,” added ASHRAE Executive Vice President Jeff Littleton. “As leaders in the built environment, we have a responsibility to protect health and wellbeing of attendees, exhibitors and staff. While we could not find a path forward to host the expo in 2021, we anticipate an even greater show in 2022 in Las Vegas.”